President Eyring Receives Honorary Degree from University of Utah

Contributed By Sarah Jane Weaver, Church News associate editor

  • 11 May 2015

President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency, is given an honorary degree of doctor of humane letters by the University of Utah in the Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City, Thursday, May 7, 2015.  Photo by Chris Samuels, Deseret News.

President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency, received on May 7 an honorary doctor of humane letters degree from the University of Utah for his contributions as an educator and prominent religious leader.

President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency, walks on stage as the University of Utah holds commencement ceremonies in the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City Thursday, May 7, 2015. Photo by Chelsey Allder, Deseret News.

The University of Utah awarded three honorary degrees during commencement ceremonies in the Jon M. Huntsman Center.

In addition to President Eyring, Anne Cullimore Decker and Mark Fuller also recevied honorary degrees.

Anne Cullimore Decker, best known for her work in theater, opera, television, and film, as well as teaching at the Univerity of Utah, was awarded the honorary degree of doctor of fine arts.

Mark Fuller is the CEO of WET, the company behind many of the world's most well-known water and fire features, such as the fountains of Bellagio in Las Vegas and the Olympic cauldron for the 2002 Olympic Winter Games. He received the honorary degree of doctor of engineering.

The honorary degrees were awarded during graduation ceremonies for the University of Utah's largest graduating class to date, which consisted of some 8,363 people. The graduates and thousands of other attendees, who nearly filled the center, heard words of advice from commencement speaker Robert McDonald, U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs, former president and CEO of Procter & Gamble Co., and University of Utah graduate of 1978.

President Henry B. Eyring enters the Jon M. Huntsman Center's arena before the start of the University of Utah's commencement ceremonies May 7, 2015. Photo by Chris Samuels, Deseret News.

President Henry B. Eyring is given an honorary degree of doctor of humane letters by the University of Utah in the Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City, Thursday, May 7, 2015. Photo by Chris Samuels, Deseret News.

President Henry B. Eyring is given an honorary degree of doctor of humane letters by the University of Utah in the Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City, Thursday, May 7, 2015. Photo by Chris Samuels, Deseret News.

President Henry B. Eyring smiles after receiving an honorary degree of doctor of humane letters by the University of Utah during commencement ceremonies at the Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City, Thursday, May 7, 2015. Photo by Chris Samuels, Deseret News.

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